Readback: April 2012

Monday, August 04, 2014 at 12:00 AM ET

Verified

Key Takeaways:

Pilots are advised to prioritize visual GPS navigation aids (like moving maps or TKE) over numeric track comparisons, especially during partial panel flight, and to inform ATC of GPS-only navigation capabilities.
The article debates two methods for complex route segments: using GPS OBS mode in-flight versus pre-programming user waypoints, noting that pre-programming offers advantages like autopilot integration and route visibility.
It clarifies that a visual approach clearance allows pilots to intercept published approach segments for safety, not necessarily requiring a direct flight to the airport, and stresses verifying climb gradients for visual departures.
A reader questions the hourly frequency of official METAR observations in the digital age, prompting a discussion about SPECI reports for significant changes and the importance of checking weather data age.

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Thanks for another great edition of IFR. I enjoyed the “Partial Panel with GPS” article. However, I have an issue with the “Getting the GPS Screens Right” sidebar.

In my experience, pilots find it difficult to determine left from right if they are trying to fly numeric DTK and TRK. In general, I recommend against doing math in your head in the cockpit, especially when you are mentally overloaded flying partial panel. If TRK and DTK differ by two degrees, it can be distracting having to figure out if that is two degrees left or two degrees right.
To see how easy it is to get left and right confused, notice that you yourself got twisted around in the sidebar. You wrote that the CDI indicates we are right of course, when in fact, the picture indicates we are left of course. Consequently, I would emphasize your second recommendation: Fly using the moving map to help keep yourself oriented visually. A picture speaks a thousand words (or numbers).